In the past two months, 445 applicants have used cars provided by the transport department for driving licence tests across 11 RTOs in Coimbatore, Tirupur, and the Nilgiris districts, marking a significant increase in usage.
Coimbatore: The transport department's initiative to provide cars for driving licence tests has seen a surge in popularity across the 11 regional transport offices (RTOs) in Coimbatore, Tirupur, and the Nilgiris districts. Over the past two months, 445 applicants have utilized this facility, indicating a growing preference for this convenient option.
The transport department had previously procured one car for each regional transport office and unit office to facilitate driving tests. An official from the transport department stated, "If an applicant doesn't have a car for the driving test, they could use this car. They don't have to depend on driving schools to obtain the licence. This facility was introduced in January. In April, 169 people used the cars at the 11 regional transport offices spread across Coimbatore, Tirupur and the Nilgiris districts. The number increased to 276 in May."
Applicants are charged a nominal fee of ₹50 for using the department's car during the driving test. Those interested in availing this facility need to mention it while applying for a licence on the https://sarathi.parivahan.gov.in/ website.
The initiative has been well-received by applicants, offering a cost-effective alternative to expensive driving schools. K Premkumar, a college student from Kuniyamuthur, shared his experience, saying, "Driving schools collect anywhere between ₹7,500 and ₹10,000 for providing driving lessons to a person and assisting in obtaining a driving licence. Those with driving skills also approach driving schools for obtaining a licence. It's a wastage of money. I recently used the car provided by the transport department to obtain my licence. It was useful."
This service not only provides a more affordable option for applicants but also reduces dependency on driving schools, especially for those who already possess driving skills. The increasing uptake of this facility demonstrates its effectiveness in simplifying the process of obtaining a driving licence for residents in the Coimbatore region.